Historic Woolsey Cemetery
"The sun was rising when I gathered them that morning, and it made
the winter trees across the fields glow gold with slanted light. We tiptoed.
We bent over. We hugged the granite marker carved with
'Sams. Compton. Giles. Cole.' The boys looked at me and I nodded.
'Christmas gift!' they shrieked as they sprang around the sides and into the family plot."
– Ferrol Sams, from Christmas Gift!
Ferrol Sams, physician, storyteller, and author, recalled visiting his grandfather's grave in Historic Woolsey Cemetery with his grandsons on Christmas morning, continuing a cherished family tradition.
Each cemetery tells the unique story of its community and the people buried there. Historic Woolsey Cemetery preserves more than names and dates; it preserves the lives, families, and connections that helped shape Woolsey and the surrounding region.
Early Beginnings
Although records do not identify the first burials in the cemetery, genealogical research and personal journals indicate that two of Thomas B. Gay’s children were buried here in the 1830s. Originally known as the Thomas Bolling Gay Burial Ground, the property was purchased by Dr. I. G. Woolsey in 1875. Dr. Woolsey opened the cemetery for members of the community, creating a place where generations of families could be remembered.
Courtesy of Jennifer Jackson
The Historic Iron Fence
In December 1906, Juan Fernandez McLean installed the original Stewart Iron Company fence around the cemetery. In 2007, Woolsey Baptist Church replaced the fence with a modern one. To preserve this important piece of history, the original fence is incorporated into the Friends of Historic Woolsey logo.
Today, the cemetery continues to reflect the people and traditions of Woolsey, connecting past generations with those who are preserving this historic place.
Honoring and Preserving Stories
Friends of Historic Woolsey is deeply committed to protecting the cemetery, sharing its stories, and honoring everyone laid to rest here. Beyond ongoing grounds maintenance, our work includes vital preservation efforts such as a Ground Penetrating Radar survey that identified forty four potential unmarked graves outside the existing fence line. Every person resting in Historic Woolsey Cemetery has a unique story. We hope to connect each individual with a family representative who can share details about their life, military service, occupation, and family history.
We continue to restore and improve the grounds, and we welcome your help. If you would like to volunteer or share information about someone buried here, please contact us.
- A quick note for visitors: Please do not remove historic markers or artifacts. If you have previously replaced an unreadable stone, we kindly ask that you return the original so it can be properly restored to its location. Your contributions help keep Woolsey's history alive for future generations.
Ground Penetrating Radar
Explore the findings of the GPR survey conducted by GPRS on April 20, 2023, at the Historic Woolsey Cemetery located at 242 Hampton Road. The survey mapped the cemetery grounds and identified forty-four potential unmarked graves outside the existing fence line, helping to deepen our understanding of Historic Woolsey Cemetery.
Historic Woolsey Cemetery Policies and Regulations
Learn about the guidelines that help protect and preserve this historic cemetery for future generations.
Explore More
Historic Woolsey Cemetery on Find a Grave
Explore memorials, burial records, photographs, and family connections for those laid to rest in Historic Woolsey Cemetery.
Richard Waterhouse, Executive Director, Buckhead Heritage
Richard Waterhouse explores the Victorian-era gravestones of Historic Woolsey Cemetery, examining their history, symbolism, and significance.
Explore the meanings behind common gravestone symbols and discover how they reflect faith, remembrance, and the customs of earlier generations.
Grave Intentions: A Comprehensive Guide to Preserving Historic Cemeteries in Georgia by Christine Van Voorhies
Explore practical guidance on documenting, protecting, preserving, and interpreting Georgia's historic cemeteries.
A special thank you to Jenny Burdette for beautifully capturing the historic grounds of Historic Woolsey Cemetery. You can explore more of her incredible work at Jenny Burdette Photography.
- If you require an alternate format of these documents for accessibility purposes, please contact us at info@friendsofhistoricwoolsey.org, and we will provide a text version within 48 - 72 hours.
(Click the first photo to enlarge and then click the arrow to the right to move to the next photo).
.jpg "Cemetery corner fence and brick pillar. Photo by Jenny Burdette © 2021")
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